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Trip from Anthony, TX to Austin, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 56m

Distance

267.4 mi

430 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 43m ★
6 AM
4h 56m
8 AM
5h 23m
10 AM
5h 5m
12 PM
5h 3m
3 PM
5h 7m
5 PM
5h 22m
8 PM
4h 48m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Download GPX
town in Texas, USA

Anthony, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Austin, TX, TX

Austin, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 267.4-mile drive from Anthony, TX to Austin, TX, will take you about 4 hours and 56 minutes, making it a very manageable day trip. You'll primarily be on major highways, with 76% of the journey utilizing roads like South R L Thornton Freeway and I-35. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $40. Given its relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, you can comfortably complete this journey in a single day without needing an overnight stop. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent driving experience.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

133.7 miles from Anthony, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
South R L Thornton Freeway 89.9 mi 1h 32m
I 35 55.8 mi 58m
Purple Heart Trail 40.3 mi 42m
Central Expressway 35 mi 37m
Sam Rayburn Highway 13.3 mi 15m
State Highway 160 8.3 mi 12m
North Pecan Street 7.8 mi 11m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway 6.6 mi 7m
Longest stretch: South R L Thornton Freeway — 89.9 mi, about 1h 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Anthony, TX and Austin, TX.

1

Start on FM 1753

1.0 mi · 1 min · FM 1753
2

At end of road, turn left onto FM 1897

4.4 mi · 6 min · FM 1897
3

Turn left onto US 69

7.8 mi · 11 min · North Pecan Street
4

Continue on TX 160

8.3 mi · 12 min · State Highway 160
5

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 52 sec
6

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 29 sec · this road
7

Merge onto TX 121

13 mi · 15 min · Sam Rayburn Highway
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto US 75; TX 121

35 mi · 37 min · Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

501 ft · 12 sec
Exit 284C Toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway Use the slight left lane.
11

Continue on North Central Expressway

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Central Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
12

Turn right onto Elm Street

304 ft · 10 sec · Elm Street
13

Turn left onto North Pearl Expressway

0.2 mi · 28 sec · North Pearl Expressway
Use the straight lane.
14

Turn right onto Young Street

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Young Street
15

Turn left onto South Harwood Street

315 ft · 8 sec · South Harwood Street
Use the left lane.
16

Turn right onto Canton Street

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Canton Street
17

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward I 30 West
18

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 14 sec
Toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
19

Keep slight left at fork

221 ft · 5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 35E South: Waco Use the left / right lanes.
21

Continue on I 35E

0.5 mi · 44 sec · South R L Thornton Freeway
22

Continue on I 35E

89 mi · 1 hr 31 min · South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426 Toward Dallas Zoo Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Continue on I 35; US 77

6.6 mi · 7 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Continue on I 35

38 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

56 mi · 58 min · I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290

2.4 mi · 3 min · Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street Use the slight left lane.
27

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 234B Toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University Use the slight right lane.
28

Turn straight onto North Interstate 35

0.2 mi · 27 sec · North Interstate 35
Use the straight / right lanes.
29

Turn right onto East 6th Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · East 6th Street
Use the right lane.
30

Turn left onto Congress Avenue

357 ft · 17 sec · Congress Avenue
31

Turn left onto East 5th Street

28 ft · 0 sec · East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
32

Arrive at destination

East 5th Street

Trip Plan

For this roughly 5-hour drive, starting early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you approach Austin. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to determine your own pacing. The longest stretch without a significant change in highway is nearly 90 miles, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly before you hit that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $40 estimated cost is based on current averages, and it's always wise to top off before embarking on longer highway stretches.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 133.7 miles from Anthony, TX, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.9 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 59 miles or 1h 14m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 133.7 miles or 2h 34m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 3m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Austin, TX than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Anthony, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Anthony, TX

This is one driving day of about 267.4 miles and 4h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Anthony, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on South R L Thornton Freeway for about 89.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and county seat of Ellis County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waxahachie, TX

134 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Waxahachie, TX to Austin, TX

166.2 mi · 2h 55m

Pacing Suggestions

Richardson, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

West, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 133.7 miles from Anthony, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before South R L Thornton Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Austin Bat Tours

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 267.4

Austin, Texas

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

Visit website

Dark Hour Haunted House

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 57.3

Plano, Texas

+14692980556

Visit website

11th Hour Escape

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 57.3

Plano, Texas

Hours: 12–5:30 pm

+14692095978

Visit website

Botanical Gates of Paradise

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 267.4

Austin, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

Heritage Farmstead Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 57.3

Plano, Texas

Hours: Closed

+19728810140

Visit website

City Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 76.4

Dallas, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19724823055

Visit website

NTER - The Great Escape

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 95.5

Waxahachie, Texas

Hours: 5–9 pm

+12149801053

Visit website

Barton Creek Greenbelt

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 267.4

Austin, Texas

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+15129746700

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 24

5 decision points cluster between mile 35.5 and 266.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
35.5 mi into trip | ~48m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 75 South, TX 121 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
8
71.3 mi into trip | ~1h 27m in

Take the exit toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Exit 284C Toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
9
73.4 mi into trip | ~1h 32m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
8
264 mi into trip | ~4h 50m in | I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
8
266.4 mi into trip | ~4h 53m in

Take the exit toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 234B Toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson Univer...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$40.40 one way

$80.81 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 94 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $44.23 $88.45
premium $4.54 $47.74 $95.48
diesel $5.61 $59.04 $118.08

Estimated Tolls: $2.86

Central Expressway (35.7 mi) $2.86

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 93.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 80.2 0 $28.08 $12.84
Efficient EV 66.9 0 $23.40 $10.70
EV Truck/SUV 107 1 $37.44 $17.11

Gas CO2

94 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Anthony, TX

Morning in Anthony on Sunday

Local time

11:16 AM

CDT

Current temp

82°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Austin, TX

Morning in Austin on Sunday

Local time

11:16 AM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

19 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 56m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 267.4-mile trip, with 76% of your journey on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While primarily interstate, the route incorporates sections of Purple Heart Trail and I-35, which may offer slight variations in the driving environment. The overall character is one of efficient travel across the Texas landscape.

76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.9 mi on South R L Thornton Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South R L Thornton Freeway and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 35.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 267.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 35.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Anthony, TX and Austin, TX, road signs point toward Downtown, Denton, Waco and Dallas Zoo.

Downtown

71.3 mi in | ~1h 27m

Denton

73.3 mi in | ~1h 31m

Waco

73.4 mi in | ~1h 32m

Dallas Zoo

74.4 mi in | ~1h 33m | via I 35E

About the Cities

Arriving in Austin, TX

Full guide →

“City of the Violet Crown” · Founded 1835

Austin is a city of about 1,054,000 (2026) surpassing Fort Worth to become the 4th most populous city in Texas. It is on the southeast edge of the Hill Country region of Texas, making it the fourth-largest city in the state and the 11th-largest in the country. It is the capital of Texas and a college town, and also a center of an alternative culture away from the major cities on the US coasts, though the city is rapidly gentrifying with its rising popularity. Austin's attitude is commonly emblazoned about town on T-shirts and bumper stickers that read: "Keep Austin Weird." Austin is also marketed as the Live Music Capital of the World due to the large number of venues.

Top landmarks

  • • Texas State Capitol — capitol and seat of government of the U.S. state of Texas
  • • Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum — presidential library and museum for U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson in Austin,...
  • • Texas State Cemetery — historic cemetery in Austin, Texas, USA

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 56m. Total distance: 267.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $2.86 in tolls one way, starting with Central Expressway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Austin, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 35.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Austin, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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